Iran Could Face FIFA Sanctions Over Plan to Avoid U.S. World Cup Matches

Iran’s national team could face at least a 250,000 Swiss franc fine, roughly $320,000, if its dispute over playing World Cup matches in the United States leads to a withdrawal or failure to fulfil scheduled fixtures at the 2026 tournament. 

FIFA rules require participating teams to play their matches, and a late withdrawal could attract both financial penalties and further disciplinary action.

The latest controversy follows comments from Iranian football chief Mehdi Taj, who said Iran would boycott the United States but not the World Cup, while the federation pushes for its group-stage matches to be moved to Mexico. 

Iran have been drawn in Group G with New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, and all three of those fixtures are currently scheduled to take place on U.S. soil.

The issue has grown into a serious test for FIFA as the governing body tries to keep the expanded 48-team tournament on track. 

The 2026 World Cup will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has made clear that the competition is expected to proceed as planned with all qualified teams taking part.

For now, Iran has not officially withdrawn from the tournament, and discussions over the venue issue are still ongoing. But the risk is clear: if Iran ultimately refuses to play its assigned fixtures, FIFA could move beyond a fine and consider wider sanctions, including replacing the team in the competition. That leaves the situation as one of the biggest unresolved issues hanging over the 2026 World Cup ahead of kickoff.